Table structure



p 19, 1967 J. w. KRUISSINK 3,342,149

TABLE STRUCTURES Filed April 20, 1966 INVEN'IOA JOHN W. KRU HSS INK am. 21 figg a United States Patent 3,342,149 TABLE STRUCTURE John W. Kruissink, Des Plaiues, Ill., assignor to Dentin Manufacturing Company, Bellwood, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 20, 1966, Ser. No. 543,992 3 Claims. (Cl. 108 -113) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A table, which may be used for table tennis, includes a pair of U-shaped base members which are connected by transverse bars, the bars supporting a pair of complementary table sections in facing relation when folded within the U-shaped members. Supports for the table sections are pivotally connected to the base members, with links connected to legs carried by the outer ends of the tablesections. Brace members are carried by longitudinal frame members on the table sections and engage the legs to brace them when the legs are moved to vertical table-supporting position. The transverse bars support the table sections in elevated position when the sections are folded into facing relation. Spring means urge net posts which are guided in brackets below the table in a direction away from each other.

This invention relates to table structures, and is particularly useful in a folding-type sectional table which may be employed as a tennis table or other table uses.

An object of the invention is to provide a table structure which may be readily folded to bring table sections folded centrally within a mobile base while at the same time permitting the sections to be folded outwardly into alignment in a horizontal plane. Yet another object is to provide in such a structure bracing means which sup ports the table ends so that players may sit upon the table ends without damaging the structure. A still further object is to provide unique means for supporting table sections within a U-shaped base frame carriage and aiding in the counterbalance movement of the table sections to both vertical and horizontal positions. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown in an illustrative embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table structure embodying my invention; FIG. 2, a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the table sections in vertically-folded posi tion; and FIG. 3, a broken detail view showing the springurged, net-supporting standards carried by a section of the table.

In the illustration given, I provide two oppositely-disposed U-shaped base members 10 which may be provided with casters or rollers 11. A pair of transverse bar members 12 connect the bottom of the U-shaped members 10 to form a rigid frame. The U-shaped members may further be united by transverse straps 13, as shown best in FIG. 1.

Table sections 14 and 15 are supported so as to be stored in vertical position within the U-shaped members 16 and with the bottom of the table sections aligned with and resting upon the transverse bars 12. Each table section is carried by a short support member 16 pivoted to the top of each U-shaped member 10.

The supports 16 may be secured to each table section in any suitable manner. In the illustration given, each section is provided on its underside with longitudinallyextending tubular members 17 and 18 which may be anchored to the bottom side of the table by brackets 19. I prefer to connect the longitudinal bars 17 with cross bars 20. As shown best in FIG. 2, the supports 16 are anchored to the frame members 17 by welding or other suitable means. The forward ends of the longitudinal tubular members 17 are turned to form crooks 21 which constitute brace members as will be later shown.

'Each of the table sections is provided near its outer end and adjacent the crooks 21 with brackets 22 upon which are mounted table legs 23. Link members 24 connect the legs 23 with the vertical or riser portions of the U-shaped base members 10, the link members being effective in moving the legs to vertical supporting position when the table sections are rotated into horizontal position. As the legs 23 are moved to vertical position, they bear against the lower portions of the crooks 21 and are braced by the crooks so that a very rigid leg support is provided. Players may rest upon the table ends without fear of distorting or weakening the tables since the crooks 21 press the legs 23 firmly against the links 24 and each leg is thus held against movement in either direction. The legs 23 may be connected with a cross bar 25, as shown best in FIG. 1.

When the table structure is used as a pingpong table, I provide the bottom surface of one of the table sections with a pair of net masts 26, each mast having a horizontal portion guided within a bracket 27 secured to the underside of the table, and a spring 28 releasably urges the mast 26 in an outward direction so as to hold the net 29 taut. The mast portion 26a mounted within bracket 27 also permits rotation so that the mast 26 may be swung to collapsed position against the table section 15, as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Operation In the operation of the structure, the table may be supported in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 1 with the table steadied and braced by engagement of the crooks 2'1 with legs 23, and in this position the table may be used for playing table tennis, etc. When it is desired to store the table, this may be done by moving the parts to the position shown in FIG. 2, with each table section resting upon a transverse bar 12. By locating the support 16 at the elevated position shown and upon the top por tions of the U-shaped members 10, it will be noted that there is an effective counterbalance which greatly relieves the load in moving the table sections to folded position or outwardly into aligned table-forming position. The crooks may be grasped in the movement of the table sections and, as stated above, serve to anchor the table legs 23 in a locked buttressed position when the legs are extended into a vertical plane.

When the table sections are moved into folded position, as shown best in FIG. 2, they are securely held within the U-shaped members and upon the transverse supports 12, and the U-shaped bases provide a mobile base for moving the table structure to any desired location.

The table sections 14 and 15 may be moved independently of each other. If desired, one of the table sectio'ns may be moved to horizontal position while leaving the other table section in vertical position so that a player can practice using the vertical table section as a backboard.

While in the foregoing specification I have set out specific structure in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating an embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that such details may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I-claim:

1. In a table structure, a pair of U-shaped base members, transverse bars connecting said base members and extending transversely of the table structure, a pair of complementary table sections adapted to be moved into facing relation within said U-shaped members, supports for said table sections pivotally connected to the top of said U-shaped base members, legs carried by the outer ends of said table sections, links connecting said legs to vertical portions of said U-shaped base members, longi* tudinal frame members anchored to the bottom portions of said table sections, and crooks carried by the outer ends of said longitudinal frame members and aligned with said legs to brace said legs when said legs are moved to vertical table-supporting position, said transverse bars extending upwardly and horizontally and in alignment with said table sections to provide supports therefor at an elevated position.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which one table section is provided on the underside thereof with spaced brackets apertured to receive net posts and with spring means for urging said posts away from each other.

3. In a table structure, a pair of U-shaped base members, transverse bars connecting said base members and extending transversely of the table structure, a pair of complementary table sections adapted to be moved into facing relation within said U-shaped members, supports for said table sections pivotally connected to the top of said U-shaped base members, legs carried by the outer ends of said table sections, links connecting said legs to vertical portions of said U-shaped base members, longitudinal frame members anchored to the bottom portions of said table sections, and brace members carried by the outer ends of said longitudinal frame members and aligned with said legs to engage the outer sides of said legs to brace said legs when they are moved to vertical table-supporting position, said transverse bars being spaced apart and underlying and supporting said table sections at an elevated position, when said sections are moved into facing relation within said U-shaped members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,702,585 2/1955 Wilson 297-159 2,936,820 5/1960 Blink et al. 10899 2,978,754 4/1961 Wilson 108112 3,034,842 5/1962 Mugler 1081 13 3,091,196 5/1963 Hirsch 108-112 3,191,991 6/1965 Anderson et a1 297-159 3,267,885 8/1966 Shore 108-1 12 FOREIGN PATENTS 153,997 11/ 1953 Australia.

FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examinem 

1. IN A TABLE STRUCTURE, A PAIR OF U-SHAPED BASE MEMBERS, TRANSVERSE BARS CONNECTING SAID BASE MEMBERS AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE TABLE STRUCTURE, A PAIR OF COMPLEMENTARY TABLE SECTIONS ADAPTED TO BE MOVED INTO FACING RELATION WITHIN SAID U-SHAPED MEMBERS, SUPPORTS FOR SAID TABLE SECTIONS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE TOP OF SAID U-SHAPED BASE MEMBERS, LEGS CARRIED BY THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID TABLE SECTIONS, LINKS CONNECTING SAID LEGS TO VERTICAL PORTIONS OF SAID U-SHAPED BASE MEMBERS, LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBERS ANCHORED TO THE BOTTOM BY THE OUTER OF SAID TABLE SECTIONS, AND CROOKS CARRIED BY THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBERS AND ALIGNED WITH SAID LEGS TO BRACE SAID LEGS WHEN SAID LEGS ARE MOVED TO VERTICAL TABLE-SUPPORTING POSITION, SAID TRANSVERSE BARS EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND HORIZONTALLY AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID TABLE SECTIONS TO PROVIDE SUPPORTS THEREFOR AT AN ELEVATED POSITION. 